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The HTC One (M7) is the Android phone behind the “ridiculous speaker” reputation. Its BoomSound system uses two amplified speakers aimed at you from the front, rather than one small grille on the bottom or back. In a 2013 review, the speakers were so forceful that the writer usually kept the volume below halfway and said the phone could serve as an impromptu speaker for a small crowd.
Why the HTC One’s speaker design was so different
Most phones of the HTC One’s era fired sound downward, backward or through an earpiece-sized opening. The M7 put a large speaker above and another below its display, both facing forward and both amplified. That physical arrangement matters more than a loudness claim: sound travels toward listeners instead of into a desk, a lap or the back of the phone.
The layout helps with music, video dialogue, ringtones, notifications and speakerphone calls. The review specifically found the phone easy to hear when it was lying face down, a practical advantage when a conventional grille would be blocked. HTC’s own question was captured by the reviewer: “Dual amplified front facing speakers – why did it take so long for someone to include these in a phone?”
Is BoomSound really that loud?
Subjectively, yes—at least according to the contemporary review. The author wrote, “I’m constantly having to keep the volume on the phone at under the half-bar mark or it’s just too damn loud (and that’s not a bad thing).” The same review said the One could stand alone as a “spurt-of-the-moment speaker” for a small gathering.
#1 Best Overall
- Display: 5.0-inches
- Camera: HTC UltraPixel
- Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
- OS: Android 4.4.2 (KitKat)
- Unlocked cell phones are compatible with GSM carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile as well as with GSM SIM cards (e.g. H20, Straight Talk, and select prepaid carriers). Unlocked cell phones will not work with CDMA Carriers like Sprint, Verizon, Boost or Virgin.
There is no authoritative decibel or SPL measurement in the cited material, so it would be misleading to assign the HTC One a precise loudness ranking. The defensible conclusion is that its front-firing, amplified pair was unusually loud and usable for a phone, with the reviewer regarding that as the device’s standout strength.
What the speaker sounds like in everyday use
Better projection from a desk
Because both drivers face outward, voices and music remain intelligible when the phone is propped on a table. You do not need to cup the phone or keep turning it to find the grille. That makes short videos, podcasts and incoming alerts easier to follow in a room.
Rank #2
- carrier : T-Mobile ONLY
- Storage : 32 GB (actual memory available to use less due software)
- OS: Android
- Box includes : Phone, Charger , Cable and manual
Useful volume without a separate speaker
For a kitchen, desk or small group, the One can be a convenient emergency speaker. It is not a substitute for a purpose-built Bluetooth speaker when you need deep bass, stereo separation, long battery life or outdoor volume, but the phone can fill the gap when portability and immediacy matter more than fidelity.
High-volume trade-offs
A phone this loud still has limited enclosure volume. Turning it up aggressively can make small drivers sound harder and less refined than a larger speaker. The review celebrates the output, not a laboratory assessment of frequency response or distortion, so treat “ridiculous” as an enthusiastic listening impression rather than a measured specification.
Rank #3
- 4G LTE: LTE 700 / 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
- 4.7" Super LCD3 capacitive Multi-Touchscreen, HTC Sense UI v5, protective Corning Gorilla Glass 2
- Beats Audio sound enhancement
- 32GB internal memory storage, 2GB RAM
- Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Krait 300 processor
The rest of the HTC One package
The speaker hardware was a headline feature, but it came attached to 2013-era compromises. The review describes a 2300mAh battery, an older 4MP UltraPixel camera approach and frustrations with HTC Sense software. Under heavy data use, the reviewer reported roughly eight hours before the 15% warning; on a normal day, the phone lasted about 12–16 hours. Those figures are historical observations, not a guarantee for an aging handset today.
Launch-era pricing was $199 for the 32GB model with a two-year contract and $575 unlocked. Those are 2013 review prices, not current second-hand values. Current stock, software-support status and resale pricing were not established in the cited material, so buyers should verify all three before treating an M7 as a practical daily phone.
Rank #4
- 3G/4G LTE connectivity
- Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) with HTC Sense
- 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core
- 5.0-inch Full HD 1080p with 440ppi display
- Dual camera with UltraPixel
How it compares with other phones built around loud audio
| Phone | Speaker approach | Other documented hardware | Key compromises or context |
|---|---|---|---|
| HTC One (M7) | Dual amplified front-facing BoomSound speakers | 2300mAh battery; 4MP UltraPixel camera; HTC Sense software | 2013 model. Review praised exceptional practical loudness; launch prices were $199 on contract for 32GB and $575 unlocked. |
| Razer Phone | Prominent front-facing speaker grilles | Snapdragon 835, 8GB RAM, 1440p 120Hz display, 4000mAh battery | Windows Central called them among the loudest smartphone speakers it had heard. Grilles attract pocket dust; the metal design has no wireless charging or IP rating, and there is no headphone jack. |
| ZTE Nubia Music 2 | Oversized rear speaker with DTS:X Ultra and a 2.1-channel setup | 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, 6.7-inch 720p-class display advertised at 120Hz | Reviewed at around $85. It is framed as a pocket sound system first and a conventional budget phone second. |
The comparison also shows why “loudest Android phone” has no single objective answer here. The HTC One and Razer Phone direct substantial hardware toward the listener from the front. The Nubia Music 2 makes its rear speaker the visual and product centerpiece. Placement, clarity at high volume, chassis size, battery endurance, camera and software support all affect which design works best.
Why front-facing speakers still matter
Speaker direction is a usability decision, not merely an audio specification. A rear grille can sound acceptable while held, then become muffled on a sofa or desk. A bottom grille can be covered by a hand during games or video. Front-facing drivers avoid those particular failure modes and make the phone’s orientation less important.
The cost is physical space: large grilles consume bezel area and can make a handset look less sleek. The Razer Phone demonstrates another maintenance issue, with its review noting that the open grilles collect pocket dust. Manufacturers that prioritize loud front audio may also have less room for other features, though the exact trade-off varies by model.
Should you buy an HTC One for the speaker?
- Choose it as a novelty or compact media device if front-facing sound is your priority and you accept 2013 hardware.
- Check battery condition before relying on one; the original 2300mAh cell and age make real-world endurance unpredictable.
- Confirm app and security requirements because the cited material does not establish current software-support status.
- Compare the total cost with a newer phone plus a small Bluetooth speaker. The M7’s historical launch price says nothing about today’s used-market value.
The HTC One remains memorable because its gimmick solved a real problem. BoomSound made a phone easier to hear on a desk, in a room and during casual group listening. Its camera, battery and software belong to another era, but the central idea—put the speakers where the listener is—was practical enough that later gaming-focused and budget phones continued chasing it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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